I hope this doesn't put me under too much scrutiny. Be gentle.

I know people use floating pellets to monitor consumption, or just like to see them feeding. I also realize that metabolism goes way down with lower temps, and that fish wont come out of the stabilized temps of deeper water to surface feed, BUT, fish still eat in winter, i.e., ice fishing, bottom fishing for catfish in winter, vice suspended in summer near thermocline.

Could you not bulk up BG and catfish by feeding lightly 1 or 2 times per wk. with a slowly sinking feed? I know it can't be monitored, but I dont think this much feed even if not consumed would cause a severe water quality problem that couldnt be cleared up quickly when aeration is re-started. I would think it beats chasing live prey for a lethargic fish.